By Katie Nichols
Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System precision agriculture team invites Alabama producers and crop consultants to attend a precision ag field day July 30 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Participants will have an opportunity to listen to experts on topics ranging from use of drones in agriculture to nutrient management. Registration is free and available online.
Alabama Extension Precision Agriculture Specialist Brenda Ortiz said precision agriculture is a big player in strengthening food security and increasing yield while conserving the environment. Therefore, the adoption of precision ag practices is important.
Precision Ag Field Day Topics at the workshop will include participants interacting with Alabama Extension professionals, industry personnel, experts from other leading universities as well as other producers.
Instructional sessions, as well as hands-on demonstrations with ag industry providers, is scheduled as part of that afternoon’s activities. There will also be a large exhibit hall where industry and precision ag service providers will conduct product demonstrations.
Some of the topics presented during the workshop will include: drones in agriculture, precision planting, irrigation water management, precision ag data management, precision spraying and nutrient management.
There are several speakers from different universities on the schedule for the workshop. University speakers will include:
● Terry Griffin – Kansas State University
● Yiannis Ampatzidis – University of Florida
● Joe Luck – University of Nebraska
● Ajay Sharda – Kansas State University
● Brenda Ortiz – Auburn University.
There are also several precision ag company representatives on the schedule will include: SunSouth, Vantage South, Agri-AFC and Pinnacle Agriculture.
“USDA has identified the adoption of precision ag technologies as a top priority because of the impact the adoption of site-specific management practices will have on global food production, the economy and the environment,” Ortiz said. “We have seen tremendous support from USDA to provide funding to farmers and scientists as they conduct on-farm demonstrations of precision ag technologies and site- specific management practices.”
Ortiz said this workshop is organized to help farmers and consultants get more acquainted with precision ag practices, while also learning how to implement them on-farm.
Check in begins at 7:30 a.m. on July 30. There is no fee to attend the workshop but registration is required. Visit http://www.aces.edu/go/993 to register for the event.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are located at 2612 Lane Park Road in Birmingham. Contact Ortiz at bvortiz@auburn.edu for more information.
